The Association of African American Museums

Mission Statement

The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is a non-profit member organization established to support African and African American focused museums nationally and internationally, as well as the professionals who protect, preserve and interpret African and African American art, history and culture.

Established as the single representative and principal voice of the African American museum movement, the Association seeks to strengthen and advocate for the interests of institutions and individuals committed to the preservation of African-derived cultures.

The services provided by AAAM enhance the ability of those museums to serve the needs and interests of persons of African ancestry and those who wish to know more about the art, history and culture of African-derived cultures.

History

Charles H. WrightFounder

Margaret BurroughsFounder

The first informal Black Museum Association, The National Association of Museums and Cultural Organizations and the Black Museums Conference, was spearheaded and founded by Dr. Margaret Burroughs and Dr. Charles H. Wright. Dr. Margaret Burroughs was the founder of the DuSable Museum in Chicago, Illinois and Dr. Charles H. Wright was the founder of the Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan.

In February of 1978 in Detroit, under the leadership of the Chairman E. Barry Gaither, six museums ratified by-laws and legally formed the African American Museums Assocation. This new association was based at the Museum of the National Center for Afro-American Artists in Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1997, at the African American Museums Association’s Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland the organization voted to legally change it’s name to the Association of African American Museums. This name change became official in 1998 when Rita Gardner was elected President of the Association of African American Museums at its Annual Conference in Birmingham, AL. Read More >>>

About

The Association of African American Museums works as an advocate for the interests of institutions and individuals committed to the support of African and African derived cultures. It defines a relationship for the body of such institutions within the national museum community, and seeks to strengthen such institutions through improved communication, shared resources, training, annual conferences, technical aid and assistance, and through fund raising guidance. The Association also provides, through newsletters, placement bureaus, etc., services supportive for the professional needs of its membership.

The Association of African American Museums includes cultural organizations, historical societies and museums which not only collect, preserve, and exhibit objects valuable to art, history and science, but also educational institutions, research agencies and cultural centers. Read More >>>

Leadership

Samuel W. BlackPresident

Currently this association is led by their President, Samuel W. Black of the Senator John Heinz History Cente, their Vice President, Dr. Deborah L. Mack of Mack Museum Consulting LLC and seven other board members and officers. For additional information regarding the Executive Board and the Officers of the Association of African American Museums please visit the following link. Read More >>>